Item Number

Monday, April 15, 2013

A Short Story

40% of the population of a village in southwest China's Sichuan Province are dwarves. Between the 1920s and 1970s residents in Yangsi village started to suffer from a mystery condition that particularly struck children aged between 5 to 7. The main symptom was that the children stopped growing any taller. Experts visited the village many times, testing the water, soil, grain, and examining those affected, but were unable to discover the cause of the condition. Today, around 80 people live in the village and 36 of them are between 0.8m to 1.4m tall.

PETA KILLS

This morning I came across an article which not just enraged me, but it's become a struggle to keep my insides from sprawling all over the floor.

I'd like to give every news worthy of printing the benefit of doubt, but when it has been supported by government visits and pictures, I’d beg for someone to come forward and please tell us all otherwise.

Some argue that it’s best to put an end to an absolutely healthy abandoned animal’s life, rather then leaving it out on the street to die, fending for itself.
Then, I’d say the same should be true for all human beings who are homeless, beggars etc

If PETA strongly believes in this philosophy than they should openly come out and say exactly that instead of lying to owners about finding a shelter! At least I feel less guilty if somebody else kills a life I chose to take care of and selfishly abandoned. The guilt reduces somehow, right?!!!

It has been revealed that PETA has killed over 30,000 dogs, cats, rabbits and other domestic animals who were entrusted to PETA by families in hope of rehoming their TOYS.

About Me

Ok, so I’m 5ft 9, about 139 pounds, big greenish brown eyes, long curvy lashes, a curvier body, soft curly hair and an electrifying smile. This impression exists in my head…and now in yours.

It’s not because what I look like makes me uneasy, but this is the number that I’d like to turn up in, someday.

Hence, the ‘Item Number’. A lot many maybe familiar with the term and all that it implies but for the ignorant read on…

I’ve always associated myself with the term ‘Item Number’ which however until recently was a phrase loosely used in Bollywood to describe a filler, a foreplay before the formidable act, a thesaurus for sleazy dance, an excuse for skin show (not always attractive).

All that is now the past. With cinemas growing sensibilities, the stigma attached to the phrase no longer exists and in fact, is now glorified by a list of A grade celebrities gracing the screen with their special performance, adding glam value to an otherwise submissive script.

However in spite of the recent but growing respect, the meaning of the phrase ‘Item Number’ has never changed for me. An item number is an exhibit out of the ordinary plot line, sometimes provocative yet necessary, it sometimes lends itself to the situation but other times it’s forced. It’s long enough to make you smile, but short enough leaving you longing for more. Sometimes special. Sometimes over the top. But never subtle.

I believe, if we search deep inside, we all yearn to be an item number (yes even you!)

It’s the longing to be special. To be provocative. To be able to tease ones boundaries. To be different. To be the one. To make people sit up and notice.

If only for an hour, if only for a minute or even a second.

When you hear the crowds cheer (even if it’s just in your head), respond to every appreciative/envious glare with a radiating smile from within, when you know the stars are shinning in this moment, only to make you look brighter, and you almost throw your hands up to the universe miming a big ‘Thank You’ that’s when you know you’re an Item Number.